Love was also found guilty of being part of a gang that carried out an aggravated burglary at the home of multi-world and European clay pigeon shooting champion George Digweed a month earlier.

The four-strong gang smashed their way into Mr Digweed's property in Northiam, near Hastings, on February 21 before beating him and stealing cash, a Toyota Hilux 4x4 and firearms.

On May 1, William Smith, 36, who was on police bail over Mr Blackman's death, died after being shot by police during a pre-planned operation in Goudhurst, Kent.Love, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, will be sentenced later on Thursday.

Killer: Mark Love (PA)

Following his conviction, relatives of Mr Blackman said they felt "justice has been served".

In a statement, they said: "The horror of what Mark Love and others did to our dad that night, together with the ransacking of his house, will haunt us forever and is truly unforgivable.

"Justice has been served today but it will not bring him back. We have lost our dad, our role model, and our children have lost their beloved grandad."